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Doubts over Sharks season opener

EMILY BOURKE: It's become a tradition in recent years - just before the rugby league season kicks off some controversy engulfs the game.

Off the field, there's been sexual misconduct allegations against Manly's Brett Stewart, unwanted headlines for Matthew Johns and Benji Marshall and just last month, star Bulldogs player Ben Barba taking an indefinite break from the game because of personal issues.

This year - just hours before the season officially begins -- there's an investigation into doping at the Cronulla Sharks.

And there are doubts that Sunday's game against the Gold Coast Titans will even go ahead.

Martin Cuddihy reports.

MARTIN CUDDIHY: For rugby league the timing could not be worse. The season is due to open when Souths take on the Roosters tonight.

But all the focus is on the Shire.

RICHARD INGS: It's not a good look but this is just a continuation of the crime commission investigation.

MARTIN CUDDIHY: Richard Ings is a former chairman of the Australian Sports Anti Doping Authority (ASADA).

RICHARD INGS: These clubs like the Sharks are being spoken to and their players are being warned that if they were involved they are running out of time to come forward and admit their involvement.

MARTIN CUDDIHY: The World Today has been told club officials held a hastily convened meeting last night at a secret location.

Today Cronulla officials will speak to players that have been identified by ASADA as being in an "at risk group."

It's being reported that 14 players have been told they could face a ban of up to two years.

Richard Ings spoke to ABC Radio this morning.

RICHARD INGS: If players do come forward at the Sharks and admit then absolutely they'll be stood down. Other than that this will be quite a lengthy process.

MARTIN CUDDIHY: The Cronulla Sharks are due to play the Gold Coast Titans at home in Sydney on Sunday.

When asked about whether the game would go ahead this weekend, a Cronulla official told The World Today "I don't want to pre-empt anything, but it doesn't sound great."

Bookmakers, who have traditionally been some of the best informed sports brains, have suspended betting on Sunday's game - and also on who will finish last in the competition.

Despite repeated requests for an interview, ASADA's statement steered clear of any specifics.

EXTRACT FROM ASADA STATEMENT: ASADA is unable to talk publicly about the specifics of its investigation, and that includes speculating about individuals or teams, until such time as its legislation permits.

MARTIN CUDDIHY: The Cronulla official has also confirmed former ASADA prosecutor Richard Redman has been hired by the club to represent the players.

The ABC's been told morale at the club is very low and yesterday's training was quote "not the best session ever seen."

Fairfax has reported that the ASADA investigation concentrates on the time sports scientist Stephen Dank spent at the club.

And that he left after a falling out with club doctor David Givney.

The World Today contacted Doctor Givney's practise but we didn't hear back and Stephen Dank has previously told the ABC he's done nothing wrong.

BARRY O'FARRELL: I'm incredibly sceptical about the timing of these revelations on the eve of the NRL season.

MARTIN CUDDIHY: Even the New South Wales Premier, Barry O'Farrell has weighed in.

BARRY O'FARRELL: If there are charges to be laid, charge them. If there are people who are guilty ensure they front up but this trial by rumour, this trial by innuendo and this trial which apparently involves declaring illegal today things that weren't illegal two years ago, I don't think passes the common sense test or looks particularly fair.

MARTIN CUDDIHY: But it's not just Cronulla that's being scrutinised.

Six NRL clubs and as many as 150 footballers across all codes are being investigated.

Richard Ings again.

RICHARD INGS: I mean ASADA at the moment is talking to, as I said, over 150 players across many clubs and the advice is the same, if you're involved in using performance enhancing drugs, you have an opportunity to come forward, get a reduced ban. If you were involved and don't come forward, you could get up to two years.